A community Polycrub scheme

Note from the Editor

Increasingly, communities are recognising the value of gardening as a route for increasing physical activity, getting fresh air, distraction from life’s challenges, social interaction and taking positive action towards a more plant based diet. Several trials^1,2 are now underway on the benefits of gardening for cancer survivors as well as the general population. The North of Scotland may seem inhospitable to all year round gardening but where there is a will there is clearly a way ….

Shape the future of food in Scotland

Food and drinks – their composition, the way in which we eat them, the way they are processed, the food patterns we consume are important for cancer prevention. The European Code against cancer highlights three main areas:

A Souper Fresh Start to 2018

Here at SCPN we wanted to give you some souper recipe ideas to try through January. We all know how important it is to eat a lot of vegetables, but did you know it prevents cancer?After much indulgence over the festive period, it is so important to get back into healthier habits.

#SouperFreshStart 

Here are a few reasons why we want you to join us this January, for a SouperFreshStart to 2018, packing in all those vegetables and why we think eating soup is one of the easiest ways to achieve it:

Paper of the Year 2017: CNO Fiona McQueen

We asked SCPN friends and advisors to tell us about a report/paper/findings/work on cancer screening and prevention that has been published this year and has made them stop and think. The works span a wide range of areas from very detailed scientific investigation, reviews of physical activities, and blogs of model work. We find them a complete inspiration. When only 3% of the NCRI research budget is spent on prevention and virtually nil on implementation research; these papers provide a window on some of the very good reasons why cancer screening and prevention should be a leading part of cancer control research.

Christmas is coming – and the parties are getting closer.

Mega discussion in the office – can you go to the neighbour’s festive gathering without a bottle of alcoholic beverage and an offering of food?

Well it probably depends on whether you intend to drink or not, who the neighbours are and expectations. Driving (especially for rural dwellers) might also come into the decision. Either way great alternative gift ideas for those neighbours…

#ScaledownCancer: How Cancer Research UK is challenging obesity in Scotland

Scotland’s Weight

Normal weight is no longer normal. In Scotland, more people are overweight or obese than a healthy weight. The impact of this on our nation’s health and well-being now and into the future is not easily overstated. And general understanding and awareness of this problem has certainly shifted in the past couple of years, which is always a good start. At Cancer Research UK we have a particular interest. If you don’t smoke, then maintaining a healthy weight is most important thing you can do to stack your odds against cancer. Overweight and obesity is linked to 13 cancers and it’s now a top priority for us.

Dundee: Leading the way on childhood obesity?

Returning to the office after a jam-packed day of sharing thoughts and ideas; the first thing I wanted to do is reflect on some of my personal highlights as a participant at #dhwdnd yesterday.

Shifting Evidence of Breast Cancer in Night Shift Work

In 2007, the International Agency for Research on Cancer|World Health Organization (IARC|WHO) concluded that the effects of shift work on the disruption of normal circadian rhythm had a probable link to breast cancer. IARC suggest that our endogenous 24-hour body clocks may be subject to interference by factors such as exposure to light at night, and it’s impact on melatonin levels may be linked to breast cancer. However, a recent meta-analysis led by Dr Ruth C. Travis published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute concludes that night shift work may actually have very little effect on breast cancer risk.

Would You Miss Red and Processed Meat?

There aren’t many good things to report about dietary trends in Scotland but one that does stand out is our decreasing consumption of red and processed meat – albeit by a modest amount.